Part of the game's appeal can be attributed to its seemingly intentional resemblance to the classic Tetris francise. But make no mistake, Fortress is far from being a shoddy imitation. As the game is aptly titles, players will essentially be required to construct a foundation within an alloted time; capable of destroying the enemy fortress before they end up eradicate yours. In short, it's survival of the fittest. The manner in which your structures are developed offers an infinite number of possibilities.

To illustrate, your "fortress" will be composed of the various puzzle pieces which will interlock in order to create Wall Sections (formed by a minimum of 6 blocks) and Tower Sections (an area which must occupy at least 2 blocks wide). As tile pieces land upon the ground or a secure section of the "fortress", it will automatically become part of your structure. As in Tetris, tile pieces can be shifted to the left or right accordingly, and rotated in order to interlock with other pieces. However, should a tile piece land on an area which is damaged, it will become useless and revert into rubble. Extensive thinking isn't recommended, it's all a matter of speed and quick reflexes. The key is to form as many Wall and Tower sections as quick as possible.

And here's where the game's true character shines through. As you begin to form barracks, using a Combat block, Twerps (the main stars of the game) will appear, standing ready to defend (repair) or attack accordingly to the areas constructed. In addition, players have the option to select a Weapon, which will automatically initiate attacks upon enemy forces. The type of possible weapons varies upon the level you're playing...divided into four settings (Prehistoric, Medieval, Pirate and Space) Both Twerps and Weapon blocks can be actively selected by using the directional pad. Using more advanced tactics, you can construct Wizard Towers (formed by tile pieces which are 3 blocks wide and 8 blocks tall), which will release - a Wizard Twerp. These characters are primarily responsible for summoning a deadly blow from the skies, signature to the respective level you're playing in. These aren't the easiest units to construct, given the fact that enemy forces will be quickly working to accomplish the same goal as you. And to make things even more intense...on occassion, a random monster will appear on screen, terrorizing either fortress in site. Should this happen to you, it's vital to get your structure restored in an hasteful fashion. There will be times when you may opt to personally tear down a region of your fortress, especially when it becomes too high to add additional pieces. Thus you'll need to destroy at least three rows (activated by pressing the Left button)...but this should be exercised in moderation, as you'll be penalized for each individual block destroyed.

Developing an effective strategy in Fortress is the key to victory. Once the level begins, it helps to quickly lay down as many tile pieces near your boundary flags as far out as possible, which will limit the space in which the enemy can build. In addition, players will be awarded bonuses for successfully constructing Wall or Tower sections. As subsequent parts are constructued, you'll earn additional points, based upon a multiplier that will increase by two, three or four. The multiplier system is based upon how many times in a row you're successful for interlocking pieces to create Wall or Tower Sections.

Visually, Fortress is exceptionally detailed. Each aspect on screen is very distinct and easy to spot. Basically you have the puzzle pieces, the various backdrops, the Twerps and other elements moving about. You'll also note the scores respectively placed opposite each other on the top of the screen, and at the beginning of play, a time clock. Other highlights include the boundary flags, which define the borders between the player(s) fortress. Beyond that, there's very little to personally elaborate on since the main appeal of the game lies in the addictive gameplay. Once you've reached a multiplier of four, additional bonuses can consist of the following:

Weapon Bonus: Enhances the level of damage can be inflicted upon the enemy fortress.

Defense Bonus: Minimizes the damage from enemy attacks.

Rate of Fire Bonus: Allows you to fire more often.

Super Bomb Bonus: Upgrades your Monster Weapon, which can inflict greater damage upon an enemy fortress. Also enhances the Offensive Twerps' bomb.

As highlighted earlier, Fortress is far from being a typical Tetris clone as the game clearly demonstrates it's own level of depth and uniqueness. Plus, it's challenging, and as you improve your skills, Fortress provides a difficulty option. Fortress provides two distinct game modes - Battle Mode, Blitz Mode and Tournament Mode. The Blitz mode is like an advanced Battle Mode, while Battle Mode exists as the "arcade" mode, allowing you to select any level at random; while Tournament Mode requires players to engage each of the four levels in order. Should you tire of the computer opponents, you can grab a link cable and go against a buddy for a human challenge.

However, the sounds are warranted for a quibble or two. The music isn't very inspiring, and it's quite redundant -- enough to the point that you'll more than likely be inclined to turn it down. There's a smattering of voice samples, ranging from the flying creatures to the Defense Twerps uttering "Rubble" as they diligently conduct repairs on the fortress. Beyond that, the sound effects are rather standard.

Overall, Fortress is a solid package and delivers a substantial degree of diversity and challenge. Although, four levels may feel like a shortened experience for seasoned puzzle types, despite the optional difficulty setting. The Twerps are a nice touch which greatly enhances the game's distinctiveness and succeed in seperating it from being falling in the typical puzzle genre routine. With Fortress currently existing the only puzzle game available for the domestic market, and thus is a recommended title to hold players over until a new player steps in the field.

· · · Bahn